Sports Equipment Carrying System

ABSTRACT

A carrying system is disclosed. The carrying system comprises a top strap assembly including one or more shoulder straps and an adjustable loop, wherein each of the one or more shoulder straps includes a narrow portion and the adjustable loop includes at least one elastomeric patch. The carrying system further comprises a bottom strap assembly including a fixed loop and a bottom strap, wherein the fixed loop includes at least one elastomeric patch. The carrying system further comprises one or more buckles connecting the top strap assembly to the bottom strap assembly.

This application claims priority of U.S. provisional application61/496,749 filed on Jun. 14, 2011.

BACKGROUND

Large sporting equipment or other awkward, oversized items are difficultor burdensome to carry when not in use. In several contexts, a user maycarry sports equipment such as a snowboard, a skateboard, a longboard,and skis to a location wherein the user will engage in physicalactivity. For example, a user may carry a snowboard while hiking to amountain slope, upon which the user will snowboard once he arrives.

Many carrying systems are bulky, complex, uncomfortable, and/or prone todamage. Bulky carrying systems (e.g., backpacks) are burdensome andrestrict the user's freedom of movement. Additionally, once the userengages in a physical activity, the user lacks a convenient location tostore a bulky carrying system. Further, many carrying systems arecomplex, causing a user to have to navigate a web of straps to determinethe proper arrangement to carry an item. Once a user begins carrying anitem, many carrying systems hold items in such a way as to hit, rub,and/or protrude into the user's body or are otherwise uncomfortable. Forexample, some snowboard carrying systems hold the snowboard in aposition where the snowboard hits the user's calves or causes thesnowboard bindings or the parts of the carrying system to protrude intothe user's back. Further, many carrying systems hold items in a mannerthat causes the user to have to stabilize the item with at least onehand. Finally, many carrying systems are prone to damage including butnot limited to fraying, tearing, ripping, and stretching.

SUMMARY

Implementations described and claimed herein address the foregoingproblems by providing a simple, durable, compactable system for carryingover-sized items such as sports equipment. In one implementation, thecarrying system includes a top strap assembly and a bottom strapassembly forming an adjustable shoulder harness. The top strap assemblyincludes an adjustable loop with a releasable buckle, and the bottomstrap assembly includes a fixed loop with a substantially fixedcircumference. An item may be positioned within the loops for carrying.For example, a distal end of a snowboard may be inserted into the fixedloop such that a binding associated with the distal end comes to restupon the fixed loop. A proximal end of the snowboard may be secured viathe adjustable loop by fastening the releasable buckle adjacent abinding associated with the proximal end. The circumference of theadjustable loop may be modified to secure the snowboard. The top strapassembly runs over a user's shoulders and connects to the bottom strapassembly via buckles. The carrying system includes a plurality ofelastomeric patches to protect the carrying system from damage by theitems carried. For example, the elastomeric patches may be placed toprotect the carrying system from the edges of a snowboard. The carryingsystem is substantially compactable and may be condensed and placed intoa small case or sack. In one implementation, the fixed loop includes anattached sack into which the top strap assembly and the bottom strapassembly may be folded. Further, the carrying system includes visualcues to aid a user in preparing an item for carrying. Otherimplementations are also described and recited herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example carrying system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an example top strap assembly.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of an example top strap assembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an example bottom strap assembly.

FIG. 5 illustrates an assembly of an example bottom strap assembly.

FIG. 6 illustrates three views of an example patch.

FIG. 7 illustrates a snowboard in an example carrying system.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front perspective view of an example carrying inuse.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of an example carrying system in use.

FIG. 10 illustrates a back perspective view of an example carryingsystem in use.

FIG. 11 illustrates example operations for folding an example carryingsystem into an example sack.

FIG. 12 illustrates another perspective view of an example carryingsystem.

FIG. 13 illustrates another assembly of an example bottom strapassembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example carrying system 100.In one implementation, the carrying system 100 includes a top strapassembly 102 and a bottom strap assembly 104. The top strap assembly 102is configured to stabilize a carried item (not shown) secured by thecarrying system 100 during use, and the bottom strap assembly 104 isconfigured to support the weight of the carried item during use. Thecarrying system 100 may be used to carry items including, withoutlimitation, a snowboard, a skateboard, a longboard, skis, and suchoversized, elongated, or otherwise awkward, generally flat items.

The top strap assembly 102 includes one or more shoulder straps 106configured to run over the shoulders of a user to enable the carrying ofan item. In one implementation, each of the shoulder straps 106 includesa buckle 118 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) to connect the topstrap assembly 102 to the bottom strap assembly 104. In anotherimplementation, the bottom strap assembly 104 includes at least onebuckle 118 through which each of the shoulder straps 106 may bethreaded. The buckle 118 may be a single piece buckle (e.g., a ladderlock buckle) that holds a strap threaded through the buckle when undertension, which may be released by lifting a tab on the buckle. However,other buckle types including a two-piece buckle may be used. The buckle118 may be used to adjust the length of the shoulder straps 106, whichallows the placement of the top strap assembly 102 and/or the bottomstrap assembly 104 to be adjustable.

In one implementation, the width of the shoulder straps 106 varies alongthe length of the shoulder straps 106. For example, the shoulder straps106 may be wider at portions corresponding to placement on a user'sshoulders. The wider portions increase comfort for a user, particularlyduring extended use, by spreading the weight of the carrying system 100and the carried item. Alternatively or additionally, the portions of theshoulder straps 106 corresponding to placement on a user's shoulders mayinclude a thin padding or other components to increase comfort. In oneimplementation, each of the shoulder straps 106 may include a narrowportion 116 to thread through the buckle 118, which minimizes the sizeof the buckle 118. For example, each of the shoulder straps 106 may befolded over at the narrow portion 116 and tapered down to the buckle118. The folded material in the narrow portion 116 may be stitched toavoid loose fabric. Having smaller buckles minimizes the weight andstorage volume of the carrying system 100 when not in use.

The top strap assemble 102 includes an adjustable loop 110 configured toengage an item for carrying. The circumference of the adjustable loop110 may be adjusted via a releasable buckle 108 to securely hold itemsof various sizes (e.g., adjusts to hold a range of snowboard sizes). Inone implementation, the releasable buckle 108 is a two-piece bucklewherein one piece is configured to receive the other piece, which snapsinto place. This implementation permits the adjusted size of theadjustable loop 110 to be maintained while permitting the releasablebuckle 108 to quickly open the adjustable loop 110. However, otherbuckle types including a single piece buckle may be used. The adjustableloop 110 includes an upper back strap 112 opposed to the releasablebuckle 108. In one implementation, the shoulder straps 106 are eachformed of a continuous length of textile webbing and are connected atthe releasable buckle 108. The upper back strap 112 is attached to theshoulder straps 106 to form the adjustable loop 110. For example,terminal ends of the upper back strap 112 may be bar tacked or otherwisefirmly attached to the shoulder straps 106. In another implementation,the shoulder straps 106 are fixed to the upper back strap 112, and theterminal ends of the upper back strap 112 each include one end of thereleasable buckle 108.

The bottom strap assembly 104 includes at least one bottom strap 120 anda fixed loop 122, which is configured to further engage an item forcarrying. The circumference of the fixed loop 122 is substantially fixedto ensure speedy and proper placement of the item for carrying. Forexample, a snowboard may be inserted into the fixed loop 122 such thatthe lower one of the bindings comes to rest on the fixed loop 122. Inthis position, the snowboard will be placed in a manner that preventsthe snowboard from hitting a user's calves. The fixed loop 122 includesa lower back strap 124. In one implementation, the lower back strap 124is attached to the bottom strap 120 to form the fixed loop 122. Forexample, terminal ends of the lower back strap 124 may be bar tacked orotherwise firmly attached to the bottom strap 124. In anotherimplementation, the bottom strap 124 is folded over at two points andattached to the lower back strap 124 at the two points to form the fixedloop 122. From each of the two points attached to the lower back strap124, the bottom strap 120 extends to connect to each of the shoulderstraps 106 by the buckles 118.

The top strap assembly 102 and the bottom strap assembly 104 include oneor more engaging portions (e.g., 114, 126, 128 and 130). At the engagingportions, the material is more prone to damage. Accordingly, theengaging portions may include localized durable fabric or cut-proofmaterial. For example, the engaging portions 114, 126, 128 and/or 130may include elastomeric patches (e.g., Hypalon® patches) to protect theadjustable loop 110 and the fixed loop 122 from sharp edges of an item(e.g., the edges of a snowboard).

In one implementation, the carrier system 100 includes visual and/ortactile cues including, but not limited to, colors, patterns, and otherunique identifying features. The visual cues guide a user regardinginserting an item into and donning the carrying system 100. For example,one or more of the upper back strap 112 and the lower back strap 124 mayinclude a visual cue to indicate to the user which straps touch the flatbase of a snowboard. Visual cues on the upper back strap 112 and thelower back strap 124 may be used to instruct that the releasable buckle108 is not placed such that it protrudes into the user's back. Further,the buckle 118 on each shoulder strap 106 and the releasable buckle 108may have visual and/or tactile cues. For example, in an implementationwhere the buckle 118 and the releasable buckle 108 are both twopiecebuckles, the visual and/or tactile cues will help the user avoidincorrectly pairing the buckle pieces. There may be other cues to help auser distinguish portions of the carrier system 100 (e.g., distinguishthe top strap assembly 102 from the bottom strap assembly 104, etc.). Inone implementation, once an item is properly secured via the adjustableloop 110 and the fixed loop 122, the shoulder straps 106 may be clearlyidentified by a user.

An item that is properly secured via the adjustable loop 110 and thefixed loop 122 has a solid connection to the back of a user during use.As such, the user may carry the item without using a hand to stabilizethe item. In one implementation, the top strap assembly 102 includes achest strap spanning the shoulder straps 106 for further stabilizationof the carrier system 100. Further, the placement and connection of theitem maximizes freedom of movement of the user.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an example top strap assembly 200.The top strap assembly 200 includes a back strap 202 and shoulder straps208 and 214. In one implementation, the shoulder straps 208 and 214include a buckle 212 and 218, respectively. The buckles 208 and 214 maybe single piece buckles (e.g., a ladder lock buckle) that holds a strapthreaded through the buckle under tension, which may be released bylifting a tab on the buckle. However, other buckle types including atwo-piece buckle may be used.

In one implementation, the shoulder straps 208 and 214 are each 40 mmnylon gros grain webbing that is 0.55 mm to 0.65 mm thick and 19 incheslong. However, other materials and sizes are contemplated. Further, theshoulder straps 208 and 214 may be tapered to form narrow portions 210and 216. For example, each of the shoulder straps 208 and 214 may befolded over to form the narrow portions 210 and 216. The folded materialin the narrow portions 210 and 216 may be stitched to avoid loosefabric. One of the terminal ends of the shoulder strap 208 and one ofthe terminal ends of the shoulder strap 214 are threaded through thebuckle 212 and 218, respectively, and may be bar tacked. The narrowportions 210 and 216 minimize the sizes of the buckles 212 and 218. Forexample, the buckles 212 and 218 may be 20 mm. Having smaller bucklesminimizes the weight and compressed volume of the top strap assembly200. The other terminal end of the shoulder strap 208 and the otherterminal end of the shoulder strap 214 are each folded around andaffixed (e.g., bar tacked) to the back strap 202. In one implementation,the terminal ends of the shoulder straps 208 are affixed to the backstrap 202 approximately 5 inches apart.

The back strap 202 includes a releasable buckle 206, which may bebuckled to form an adjustable loop. The length of the back strap 202 maybe adjusted via the releasable buckle 206. In one implementation, thereleasable buckle 206 is a two-piece buckle wherein one terminal end ofthe back strap 202 has a piece of the releasable buckle 206 configuredto receive the other piece of the releasable buckle 206 on the otherterminal end of the back strap 202. However, other buckle typesincluding a single piece buckle may be used. The width of the back strap202 is minimized to reduce the size of the releasable buckle 206. Forexample, the back strap 202 may be 20 mm allowing the releasable buckle206 may be 20 mm.

In one implementation, the back strap 202 is 20 mm nylon gros grainwebbing that is 0.55 mm to 0.65 mm thick. However, other materials arecontemplated. In one implementation, to protect the back strap 202 atportions that may be prone to damage resulting from sharp edges (e.g.,edges of a snowboard) or friction, one or more patches 204 may beattached to the back strap 202. The patches 204 may be elastomericpatches, localized durable fabric, or cut-proof material. For example,the patches 204 may be Hypalon® patches that are non-polyvinyl chloride(non-PVC) based, scrim reinforced, and 1 mm thick. In anotherimplementation, the back strap 202 substantially comprises anelastomeric material with a portion of the back strap 202 comprisingnylon gros grain webbing threaded through the releasable buckle 206 topermit adjustment of the back strap 202.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of an example top strap assembly 300. Thetop strap assembly 300 includes a back strap 302 and shoulder straps 308and 314. In one implementation, the shoulder straps 308 and 314 includea buckle 312 and 318, respectively. The buckles 308 and 314 may besingle piece buckles (e.g., a ladder lock buckle) that holds a strapthreaded through the buckle under tension, which may be released bylifting a tab on the buckle. However, other buckle types including atwo-piece buckle may be used.

In one implementation, the shoulder straps 308 and 314 are each 40 mmnylon gros grain webbing that is 0.55 mm to 0.65 mm thick and 19 incheslong. However, other materials and sizes are contemplated. Further, theshoulder straps 308 and 314 may be tapered to form narrow portions 310and 316. For example, each of the shoulder straps 308 and 314 may befolded over at the narrow portions 310 and 316. The folded material inthe narrow portions 310 and 316 may be stitched to avoid loose fabric.One of the terminal ends of the shoulder strap 308 and one of theterminal ends of the shoulder strap 314 are threaded through the buckle312 and 318, respectively, and may be bar tacked. The narrow portions310 and 316 minimize the sizes of the buckles 312 and 318. For example,the buckles 312 and 318 may be 20 mm. Having smaller buckles minimizesthe weight and compressed volume of the top strap assembly 300. Theother terminal end of the shoulder strap 308 and the other terminal endof the shoulder strap 314 are each attached (e.g., bar tacked) to theback strap 302. In one implementation, the terminal ends of the shoulderstraps 308 are affixed to the back strap 302 approximately 5 inchesapart.

The back strap 302 includes a releasable buckle 306, which may bebuckled to form an adjustable loop. The length of the back strap 302 maybe adjusted via the releasable buckle 306. In one implementation, thereleasable buckle 306 is a two-piece buckle wherein one terminal end ofthe back strap 302 has a piece of the releasable buckle 306 configuredto receive the other piece of the releasable buckle 306 on the otherterminal end of the back strap 302. However, other buckle typesincluding a single piece buckle may be used. The width of the back strap302 is minimized to reduce the size of the releasable buckle 306. Forexample, the back strap 302 may be 20 mm allowing the releasable buckle306 may be 20 mm.

In one implementation, the back strap 302 is 20 mm nylon gros grainwebbing that is 0.55 mm to 0.65 mm thick. However, other materials arecontemplated. In one implementation, to protect the back strap 302 atportions that may be prone to damage resulting from sharp edges (e.g.,edges of a snowboard) or friction, one or morepatches 304 may beattached to the back strap 302. The patches 304 may be elastomericpatches, localized durable fabric, or cut-proof material. For example,the patches 304 may be Hypalon® patches that are non-polyvinyl chloride(non-PVC) based, scrim reinforced, and 1 mm thick. In anotherimplementation, the back strap 302 substantially comprises anelastomeric material with a portion of the back strap 302 comprisingnylon gros grain webbing threaded through the releasable buckle 306 topermit adjustment of the back strap 302.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an example bottom strap assembly 400.The bottom strap assembly 400 includes at least one bottom strap 406 anda back strap 402. In one implementation, the bottom strap 406 and theback strap 402 are 20 mm gros grain webbing. The length of the backstrap 402 is substantially fixed to form a fixed loop. In oneimplementation, the bottom strap assembly 400 includes two bottom straps406, which are attached to the back strap 402. For example, one terminalend of each of the bottom straps 406 may be bar tacked or otherwisefirmly attached to the back strap 402. In another implementation, thebottom strap assembly 400 includes one bottom strap 406, which is foldedover at two points and attached to the back strap 402 at the two points.The two points may include patches 404, which attach the bottom strap406 to the back strap 402. The patches 404 may be elastomeric patches,localized durable fabric, or cut-proof material. For example, thepatches 404 may be Hypalon® patches that are non-polyvinyl chloride(non-PVC) based, scrim reinforced, and 1 mm thick. In still anotherimplementation, the back strap 402 may comprise an elastomeric material(e.g., Hypalon®). The terminal ends of the back strap 402 are foldedover and affixed to the elastomeric back strap 402 to form the fixedloop.

FIG. 5 illustrates an assembly of an example bottom strap assembly 500.The bottom strap assembly 500 includes a back strap 502, patches 504,and a bottom strap 506. The back strap 502 and the bottom strap 506 maybe nylon gros grain webbing and the patches 504 may be elastomericpatches, localized durable fabric, or cut-proof material. For example,the patches 504 may be Hypalon® patches that are non-polyvinyl chloride(non-PVC) based, scrim reinforced, and 1 mm thick. In oneimplementation, the patches 504 are attached to the terminal ends of theback strap 502. The bottom strap 506 is folded over at two points,forming a portion having a length that is slightly less than the totallength of the back strap 502. The two points are attached to the patches504 to form a fixed loop 508.

FIG. 6 illustrates three views 600, 602, and 604 of an example patch. Afront view 600 shows a patch 606 attached to a back strap 608. The patch606 protects the back strap 608 from damage by a carried item. Forexample, portions of the back strap 608 may be prone to damage resultingfrom sharp edges (e.g., edges of a snowboard) or friction, and the patch606 may be attached to the back strap 608 to protect these portions. Thepatch 606 may be an elastomeric patch, localized durable fabric, orcut-proof material. For example, the patch 606 may be a Hypalon® patchthat is non-polyvinyl chloride (non-PVC) based and scrim reinforced.

A perspective view 602 shows a patch 610 attached to a back strap 612.The back strap 612 forms a loop to secure an item for carrying. Thepatch 610 is placed at engaging portions of the back strap 612. In oneimplementation, the patch 610 has pretension to securely wrap around theitem. The patch 610 may be stretched slightly along its length after oneend thereof is fastened across its width with robust stitching then itsopposite end is similarly stitched to the back strap 612. For example,the pretension enables the patch 610 to wrap around the edge of asnowboard tightly. Additionally, the pretension ensures that the patch610 stretches normally and bunching of the patch material is minimized.The patch 610 may be an elastomeric patch, localized durable fabric, orcut-proof material. For example, the patch 610 may be a Hypalon® patchthat is non-polyvinyl chloride (non-PVC) based and scrim reinforced.Accordingly, the patch 610 holds its shape while an item is carried.

A back view 604 shows a patch 614 attached to a back strap 616. Thepatch 614 protects the back strap 616 from damage by an item. Forexample, portions of the back strap 614 may be prone to damage resultingfrom sharp edges (e.g., edges of a snowboard) or friction, and the patch614 may be attached to the back strap 616 to protect these portions. Thepatch 614 extends beyond the width of the back strap 616 at theseportions. The patch 614 may be an elastomeric patch, localized durablefabric, or cut-proof material. For example, the patch 614 may be aHypalon® patch that is non-polyvinyl chloride (non-PVC) based and scrimreinforced.

FIG. 7 illustrates a snowboard in an example carrying system 700. Thesnowboard has a proximal end 702 and a distal end 706. The snowboardincludes a first binding 704 associated with the proximal end 702 and asecond binding 708 associated with the distal end 706. In oneimplementation, the carrying system 700 includes a top strap assembly710 and a bottom strap assembly 712. The top strap assembly 710 isconfigured to stabilize the carrying system 700 during use, and thebottom strap assembly 712 is configured to support the weight of thesnowboard during carrying.

The top strap assembly 710 includes one or more shoulder straps 714configured to run over the shoulders of a user to enable the carrying ofthe snowboard. Although FIG. 7 illustrates one shoulder strap 714, itshould be understood that a second shoulder strap (not shown) issubstantially symmetrically arranged to run over the opposite shoulderof the user (e.g., the right shoulder of a user). In one implementation,each of the shoulder straps 714 includes a buckle 724 to connect the topstrap assembly 710 to the bottom strap assembly 712. The buckle 724 maybe a single piece buckle (e.g., a ladder lock buckle) that holds a strapthreaded through the buckle under tension, which may be released bylifting a tab on the buckle. However, other buckle types including atwo-piece buckle may be used. The buckle 724 allows the placement of thetop assembly 710 and/or the bottom strap assembly 712 to be adjustable.In one implementation, each of the shoulder straps 714 may include anarrow portion 722 to thread through the buckle 724, which minimizes thesize of the buckle 724. For example, each of the shoulder straps 714 maybe folded over at the narrow portion 722 and tapered down to the buckle724. The folded material in the narrow portion 722 may be stitched toavoid loose fabric.

The top strap assemble 710 includes an adjustable loop 718 configured toengage the snowboard for carrying. The circumference of the adjustableloop 718 may be adjusted via a releasable buckle 716 to securely hold arange of snowboard sizes. In one implementation, the releasable buckle716 is a two-piece buckle wherein one piece is configured to receive theother piece, which snaps into place. However, other buckle typesincluding a single piece buckle may be used. The bottom strap assembly712 includes at least one bottom strap 726 and a fixed loop 728, whichis configured to further engage the snowboard for carrying. Thecircumference of the fixed loop 728 is substantially fixed to ensureproper placement of the snowboard. The bottom strap 726 connects thebottom strap assembly 712 to the top strap assembly 710 via the buckles724.

In one implementation, to carry the snowboard, the distal end 706 may beinserted into the fixed loop 728 until the second binding 708 comes torest on the fixed loop 728. The adjustable loop 718 is wrapped aroundthe proximal end 702 and secured under the first binding 704 using thereleasable buckle 716. The circumference of the adjustable loop 718 maybe changed to secure the snowboard. A user may run the shoulder straps714 over his shoulders and adjust the placement of the snowboard via thebuckles 724. The carrying system 700 places the snowboard in a mannerthat prevents the snowboard from hitting the user's calves.

The top strap assembly 710 and the bottom strap assembly 712 include oneor more engaging portions (e.g., 720 and 730). At the engaging portions,the material is more prone to damage resulting from the friction fromthe edges of the snowboard. Accordingly, the engaging portions mayinclude localized durable fabric or cut-proof material. In oneimplementation, the engaging portions 720 and 730 may includeelastomeric patches (e.g., Hypalon® patches) to protect the adjustableloop 718 and the fixed loop 728. In another implementation, the fixedloop 728 and the adjustable loop 718 may substantially comprise anelastomeric material.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front perspective view of an example carryingsystem 800 in use. A user 802 uses the carrying system 800 to carry asnowboard 804. The snowboard 804 is secured in the carrying system 800,and shoulder straps 808 enable the user 802 to carry the snowboard 804.The position of the snowboard 804 may be adjusted via buckle 806 on theshoulder straps 808. The carrying system 800 places the snowboard 804 insuch a manner that the user 802 may carry the snowboard 804 longdistances comfortably. For example, the snowboard 804 is placed suchthat the snowboard 804 does not hit the calves of the user 802 whilewalking. Further, the user 802 may carry the snowboard 804 without usinga hand to stabilize the snowboard. In one implementation, a chest strapconnects the shoulder straps 808 across the chest of the user 802 forfurther stabilization of the carrier system 800. The placement andconnection of the snowboard 804 maximizes freedom of movement of theuser 802.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of an example carrying system 900 in use.A user 902 uses the carrying system 900 to carry a snowboard. Thecarrying system 900 includes an adjustable loop 908 and a fixed loop910. In one implementation, to carry the snowboard, one end of thesnowboard may be inserted into the fixed loop 910 until a first binding906 comes to rest on the fixed loop 910. The adjustable loop 908 iswrapped around the snowboard and secured under a second binding 904. Theuser 902 may run shoulder straps 912 over his shoulders and adjust theplacement of the snowboard. The shoulder straps 912 enable the user 902to carry the snowboard. The carrying system 900 secures the snowboardsuch that there is a solid connection of the snowboard to the back ofthe user 902 during use. The snowboard is placed such that the user 902may carry the snowboard long distances comfortably. For example, theplacement of the snowboard prevents the snowboard from hitting thecalves of the user 902 while walking. Further, the user 902 may carrythe snowboard without using a hand to stabilize the snowboard. Theplacement and connection of the snowboard maximizes freedom of movementof the user 902.

FIG. 10 illustrates a back perspective view of an example carryingsystem 1000 in use. A user 1002 uses the carrying system 1000 to carry asnowboard. The carrying system 1000 includes an adjustable loop 1008 anda fixed loop 1010. In one implementation, to carry the snowboard, oneend of the snowboard may be inserted into the fixed loop 1010 until afirst binding 1006 comes to rest on the fixed loop 1010. The adjustableloop 1008 is wrapped around the snowboard and secured under a secondbinding 1004 using a releasable buckle. The circumference of theadjustable loop 1008 may be changed to secure the snowboard. The user1002 may run shoulder straps 1012 over his shoulders and adjust theplacement of the snowboard. The shoulder straps 1012 enable the user1002 to carry the snowboard. The carrying system 1000 secures thesnowboard such that there is a solid connection of the snowboard to theback of the user 1002 during use. The snowboard is placed such that theuser 1002 may carry the snowboard long distances comfortably. Forexample, the placement of the snowboard prevents the snowboard fromhitting the calves of the user 1002 while walking. Further, the user1002 may carry the snowboard without using a hand to stabilize thesnowboard. The placement and connection of the snowboard maximizesfreedom of movement of the user 1002.

FIG. 11 illustrates example operations 1100 for folding an examplecarrying system into an example sack. In one implementation, a carryingsystem 1102 includes a stuff sack 1104 having a flap 1106. The flap 1106is attached to a fixed loop 1108, for example, with a bar tack. Thecarrying system 1102 may be folded for storage in the stuff sack 1104. Afolded carrying system 1112 is inserted into a sack 1110, which holdsthe folded carrying system 1112 while reducing the volume of the foldedcarrying system 1112. A cinched sack 1114 holds a compressed carryingsystem. The cinched sack 1114 includes a flap, which is used to ensurethat the compressed carrying system is guided into and contained withinthe cinched sack 1114. The volume of a loaded sack 1116 holding acarrying system is small enough such that a user 1118 may place theloaded sack 1116 into a pocket. For example, the volume of a foldedcarrying system ranges from approximately 10 to 13 cubic inches, and theweight of the carrying system ranges from approximately 50 to 57 grams.

FIG. 12 illustrates another perspective view of an example carryingsystem 1200. In one implementation, the carrying system 1200 includes anadjustable loop 1202 and a fixed loop 1204 configured to engage an itemfor carrying.

The circumference of the adjustable loop 1202 may be adjusted via areleasable buckle 1208 to securely hold a range of items. In oneimplementation, the releasable buckle 1208 is a two-piece buckle whereinone piece is configured to receive the other piece, which snaps intoplace. However, other buckle types including a single piece buckle maybe used. The adjustable loop includes an upper back strap 1206, which ismade from a material to resist damage resulting from the friction froman item. The upper back strap 1206 is comprised of durable fabric orcut-proof material. In one implementation, the upper back strap 1206 maybe an elastomeric material (e.g., Hypalon®) that is non-polyvinylchloride (non-PVC) based, scrim reinforced, and 1 mm thick. Theadjustable loop 1202 further includes an adjustable portion 1210, whichis relatively thin (e.g., 0.55 mm to 0.65 mm thick) compared to theupper back strap 1206 such that the adjustable portion 1210 may beeasily thread through the releasable buckle 1208 during adjustment ofthe adjustable loop 1202. The upper back strap 1206 is of a lengthrelative to the adjustable loop 1210 so as to wrap around the edgeportions of the carried item. In this way, the more robust, cutresistant material used to form the upper back strap 1206 ispreferentially positioned to contact and grip these likely sharp-edgedportions of the carried item.

The circumference of the fixed loop 1204 is substantially fixed toensure proper placement of the item. The fixed loop 1204 includes abottom strap 1214 and a lower back strap 1212, which is made from amaterial to resist damage resulting from the friction from an item. Thelower back strap 1212 is comprised of durable fabric or cut-proofmaterial. In one implementation, the lower back strap 1212 may be anelastomeric material (e.g., Hypalon®) that is non-polyvinyl chloride(non-PVC) based, scrim reinforced, and limn thick. The lower back strap1212 is affixed to the bottom strap 1214 to form the fixed loop 1204.The bottom strap 1214 may be nylon gros grain webbing. As with the upperback strap 1206, the lower back strap 1212 is of a length relative tothe bottom strap 1214 so as to wrap around the edge portions of thecarried item. In this way, the more robust, cut resistant material usedto form the lower back strap 1212 is preferentially positioned tocontact and grip these likely sharp-edged portions of the carried item.

FIG. 13 illustrates another assembly of an example bottom strap assembly1300. The bottom strap assembly 1300 includes a back strap 1302 and abottom strap 1304. The bottom strap 1304 may be nylon gros grain webbingand the back strap 1302 may comprise a durable or cut-proof material,such as an elastomeric material. For example, the back strap 1302 may beHypalon® that is non-polyvinyl chloride (non-PVC) based, scrimreinforced, and 1 mm thick. In one implementation, the terminal ends ofthe back strap 1302 are folded over and affixed to the bottom strap 1304to form the fixed loop 1306. For example, the terminal ends of the backstrap 1302 may folded over and affixed to the bottom strap 1304approximately 8.75 inches apart, resulting in the back strap 1302 beingapproximately 12.5 inches in length and the bottom strap 1304 having twostraps extending from the fixed loop 1306, each strap beingapproximately 16.5 inches in length. In one implementation, the terminalends of the bottom strap 1304 are each folded over and affixed to thebottom strap 1304 to form an end loop 1308 approximately 0.625 inches inlength. Each end loop 1308 protects the terminal ends of the bottomstrap 1304 from fraying or other damage.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended. Furthermore, structuralfeatures of the different embodiments may be combined in yet otherembodiments without departing from the recited claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A carrying system comprising: a top strapassembly including one or more shoulder straps and an adjustable loop,wherein each of the one or more shoulder straps includes a narrowportion and the adjustable loop includes at least one elastomeric patch;a bottom strap assembly including a fixed loop and a bottom strap,wherein the fixed loop includes at least one elastomeric patch; and oneor more buckles connecting the top strap assembly to the bottom strapassembly.
 2. The carrying system of claim 1, wherein one or more of thetop strap assembly and the bottom strap assembly include visual cues. 3.The carrying system of claim 1, further comprising: a stuff sackconfigured to receive at least the top strap assembly, the bottom strapassembly, and the one or more buckles.